AngelsWin.com Prospect Hotlist – August 6th

What’s Up: After a couple rough initial outings in Double-A, Chatwood has settled down as a pitcher and has regained his dominance on the mound. He’s still inducing ground balls at nearly a 2:1 rate. On the season, Chatwood has only allowed 35 earned runs, with 11 of them coming in just two bad starts shortly after his promotion to Double-A. Chatwood has a tremendous upside, and, at 20 years old, has a chance to develop without being rushed. AngelsWin.com won’t be surprised to see Chatwood start off next year at Double-A again next year. But, with a strong showing in Spring Training, we won’t be surprised to see him in Triple-A either.

What’s Up: Recently promoted to Rancho, Richards is showing why he will be a future star in the Angels rotation. Blessed with what Baseball America ranked as the organization’s best fastball and curveball for 2010, Richards has electric stuff. His curve generates a ton of ground balls. On the season, he’s generated a 2.09 GO/AO ratio which will serve him well in the high octane Cal League. Richards has kept the ball in the park, only surrendering 6 HRs on the season. He’s a far cry from the player that some considered an overdraft by Eddie Bane when the Angels selected him 42nd overall in 2009. Abe Flores and his staff have done a marvelous job refining Richards’ mechanics and command to harness his potential.

What’s Up: Overall, this has been a tough year for Ramirez. He struggled mightily in the first half of the season, posting a .176/.308/.289 line up until the All Star Break. But, since the All Star Break, he’s posted a .356/.441/.627 line. Offensively, he’s very patient at the plate—even when he was struggling. Since June, he’s walked nearly as often as he’s struck out (12 BBs:16 Ks) whereas in April and May it was much worse (17:40). Defensively, he’s thrown out 41% of would-be base stealers, which is sure to nab Scioscia’s eye. He will most likely finish up the year in Cedar Rapids, but should be in line for a promotion to Rancho next year.

What’s Up: Steven Geltz is a true sleeper that all Angels fans should get to know. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008, he just made mention in the “Keep an Eye On” section of the AngelsWin.com’s Top 50 Prospect List for 2010. We’re more than keeping an eye on him as he’s striking out an eye-popping 14.7 batters per 9 innings. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008, Geltz lacks the traditional pitcher’s body (he’s only 5’10”). But, he brings 91-96 mph fastball with excellent control that generates a lot of Ks. At just 22, Geltz could find himself pushing his way into the Angels’ bullpen late next year.

What’s Up: Jeremy Moore has definitely been a sleeper in the Angels’ system. He’s never posted dramatic numbers at any one level, but has steadily improved along the way. Since the Double-A All Star Game, Moore has exploded, posting a .367/.408/.550 line in 29 games. He’s only 23 and has a powerful left-handed swing that could really explode in the higher altitudes of Triple-A next year.

What’s Up: Normally it’s hard for a player on the AZL Angels to make this list. The heat in Arizona at this time of year is killer. The conditioning is tough. The fields are good, but not the best. And typically, the crowds are small. But, for Angels fans, seeing Grichuk back on the field and back on track is a good thing—especially since he’s on an injury rehab assignment. More importantly, it’s good to see that the injury didn’t sap all of Grichuk’s power. It’s still there. While Grichuk may not swim up the organization as quickly as Trout, he’s still a legitimate power prospect who should be back on track next year.

What’s Up: Tillman is one of several relievers who could shoot through the Angels’ organization. Striking out 15.1 batters per 9 innings, Tillman is blowing away the Pioneer League. Of the past 11 outs that Tillman has recorded, only one wasn’t a strikeout. With the promotion of Walden to Triple-A, AngelsWin.com wonders if a ripple effect will move through the Angels’ organization with the Angels promoting several of the closers from the lower levels who appear to be ready for a higher challenge.

What’s Up: At this point in the season, the only reason to keep Trumbo in Salt Lake is to have him fully adjust to playing in the outfield. And, ever since the Angels promoted Bourjos, that’s exactly where Trumbo has been playing—right field. Trumbo has been on fire since the Triple-A All Star Game, posting a .360/.430/.640 line in 22 games. Trumbo is walking a lot more and is on pace to set a new career high for walks this season. The Angels should promote him sometime in the next few weeks to give him a long look for a future in the outfield and to see if he can crush major league pitching.

What’s Up: 2010 will not go down as a lost year for Trevor Reckling. Since his demotion to Double-A, Reckling has rediscovered what made him an elite prospect and has posted a 2.84 ERA in Arkansas over 38.0 innings. More importantly, his walks and HRs allowed are down and his Ks are up. Reckling needs to finish up 2010 in Arkansas to work on consistently repeating his pitching and mechanics so that next year he can dominate Triple-A and earn his way onto the roster in Anaheim.

What’s Up: While Amarista may be short on stature, he’s not short on potential. He’s hit at all levels this season (seeing limited action at Triple-A earlier in the season) and excelled. With the recent trade for Callaspo, a former Angels second baseman, and with Amarista and Segura waiting in the wings, there may be more fallout this offseason from the Callaspo trade. Kendrick could get moved this offseason, either to third base or in a trade to get a third baseman or to fill another organizational need.